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Collective Effects in Vortex Movements in Complex Plasmas

Mierk Schwabe, Sergey Zhdanov, Christoph Räth, David B. Graves, Hubertus M. Thomas, and Gregor E. Morfill
Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 115002 – Published 19 March 2014
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Abstract

We study the onset and characteristics of vortices in complex (dusty) plasmas using two-dimensional simulations in a setup modeled after the PK-3 Plus laboratory. A small number of microparticles initially self-arranges in a monolayer around the void. As additional particles are introduced, an extended system of vortices develops due to a nonzero curl of the plasma forces. We demonstrate a shear-thinning effect in the vortices. Velocity structure functions and the energy and enstrophy spectra show that vortex flow turbulence is present that is in essence of the “classical” Kolmogorov type.

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  • Received 12 August 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.115002

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Mierk Schwabe1,2,*, Sergey Zhdanov2, Christoph Räth2, David B. Graves1, Hubertus M. Thomas2, and Gregor E. Morfill2

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
  • 2Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, P.O. Box 1312, Giessenbachstraße, 85741 Garching, Germany

  • *mierk@berkeley.edu

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Issue

Vol. 112, Iss. 11 — 21 March 2014

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